CBMCA Heritage Recognition Program

Cliff Bungalow-Mission is one of the oldest and most historic communities in Calgary. It harbours a wealth of heritage treasures deserving of recognition by residents and visitors alike. It encompasses the site of the land grant obtained by the Oblate Fathers in 1883 in the hope of establishing a French-speaking community west of St. Boniface. The area became the village of Rouleauville, named for the Rouleau family which included Charles Borromée Rouleau, a judge of the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories, and his brother, Dr. Edouard Hector Rouleau, who helped establish the Holy Cross Hospital. Although the influx of English-speaking settlers via the CPR ended the dream of a French-speaking community, many reminders of that era remain, including St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sacred Heart Convent, the Holy Cross Centre and St. Mary’s Parish Hall (now the home of the Alberta Ballet). Although the area has long been part of Calgary, it retains its village character with older homes, mature trees, and a variety of shops and restaurants along Fourth Street (its “high street”).

The Community Association is committed to retaining the community’s heritage and its urban village character. This commitment is reflected in the Association’s mission statement which reads: “CBMCA exists to provide leadership, support and resources to protect and enhance the unique and diverse natural, architectural, historic and social environment of the community.”

To fulfill this commitment in part, the Heritage Committee has established a Heritage Recognition Program which allows community residents to participate directly in recognizing and celebrating what is special about their neighbourhoods. Residents are invited to nominate their own home, or any other site they consider to be of historical value, for community heritage recognition. Proposals are considered by a jury. If the jury deems a site worthy, the Community Association offers the property owner a handsome plaque provided and installed at no cost to the owner. The plaque is shown in the accompanying photo.

Unlike provincial or municipal recognition, no legal obligation to maintain the site is imposed on the owner. Nominators are, nonetheless, asked to obtain the owner’s approval.

Nominations may be made by any resident of Cliff Bungalow-Mission and may include man-made or natural sites. Nominators are asked to submit their site to the Heritage Committee, including a property description, an explanation why they think their site is deserving, and any information they have that might help the jury, i.e. date built, the builder or architect, architectural value, historical connections, etc.

Cliff Bungalow-Mission is a very special place. This program provides an opportunity for residents to show their appreciation of its charm, its character and its history.

 

For information about the program, contact Bill Longstaff at 245-9587 (ballot@shaw.ca) or Marilyn Williams at 246-3878 (marilynwilliams@shaw.ca.)

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Walking Tours

Coming Soon...

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Historic Street Signs

The historic street sign project began in 1996 as a joint project between the 4th Street Business Revitalization Zone and the Cliff Bungalow-Mission Community Association. Thanks to generous donations of individuals, businesses and associations, this project is almost complete. The activity for 2008 is to identify which signs are left to do, and arrange for their installation.

Cliff Bungalow - Mission Community
Original Street Names
  West of 4th Street East of 4th Street
Land Grant CPR Rouleauville
Later Area Name Cliff Bungalow Mission
Avenues    
17 Avenue Notre Dame Road Notre Dame Road
18 Avenue Grey Avenue St. Joseph Street
19 Avenue Minto Avenue St. Mary Street
20 Avenue Aberdeen Avenue Oblate Street
Royal Avenue Royal Avenue NA
21 Avenue Stanley Avenue Lacombe Street
22 Avenue Lansdowne Avenue Doucet Street
23 Avenue Lorne Avenue Rouleau Street
24 Avenue Dufferin Avenue Grandin Street
25 Avenue Monck Avenue Scollen Street
26 Avenue Elgin Avenue Legal Street
Streets    
1 Street NA

Scarth Street (N of Elbow R)
Jean Baptiste Street (S of R)
2 Street NA Hamilton Street
4 Street Broadway Broadway
5 Street College Road NA
Cliff Street Cliff Street NA
5A Street University Street NA

 

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Historic Post Cards


An Interior view of Timm's Grocery (2414, 4th Street SW)
Although the building is no longer there, the ceiling is similar to other buildings on 4th street like the Bannerman Block.
(1900)

Moving Samuel Steele's House from 1st St & 17th Ave to its present location at 219, 17th Ave SW.
House built in 1895, now the Roxy Nightclub.
(1930)

The Sherman Roller Rink Fire, Febrary 25th, 1915.
Originally located on the corner of 17th Ave SW and Centre Street, the rink was a popular spot for Mission residents to play a variety of sports, including roller skating and ice hockey. Some notables include Charles Rouleau Jr., son of Charles Rouleau, one of the most influential members of the District.

Ambulance pulled up in front of the doors to the McNabb wing of the Holy Cross Hospital. The Hospital originated in 1892, expanding in 1928 and 1950. Although none of the original Hospital remains, the McNabb wing is the oldest surviving portion.
(1947)

Notre Dame de la Paix viewed from the west, with the priests standing by in the gardens. The original Cathedral was built in 1884 and then rebuilt in 1955 as St. Mary's Cathedral.
(1910)

Boarding the Train at the Mission CNR Station. Originally built in 1905 as a Parish hall for St. Mary's Cathedral, the building lives on as the Nat Christie Center, home of Alberta Ballet.
(1915)


The beginning of the first Roman catholic Mission in Calgary. It is surmised that the man on the immediate left is believed to be Father Lacombe, a founding father of the Mission.
(1883)

J.J. McHugh and friends enjoying a picnic on the banks of Elbow River. Mr. McHugh had a home on 18th Ave. SW, now called Elizabeth House. The area along the Elbow in Lindsay Park looks much the same today.
(1911)

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